Burroughs Community Center, Inc.
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
The opportunities and assets needed to navigate pathways to success for under-served communities are continually under threat. Connecticut state budget cuts and delays to many programs and services leave Burroughs’ partner organizations as well as community members vulnerable. This is particularly significant as Bridgeport has a disproportionate amount of people who must overcome barriers to their success as reflected by the U.S. Census Bureau, with 22% of the total population being persons living in poverty. Burroughs uses an asset-based community development model for sustainable community driven development. Resource strain and challenges means that Burroughs must provide more space, support and assets to facilitate the success of the partners and programs that serve the community.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Burroughs Community Center
Burroughs seeks to affect change by delivering programs and cultivating partnerships that are created by an informed understanding of community issues and opportunities. Partners are local institutions, citizen associations or individuals who bring a set of skills and knowledge to address identified barriers to success. Burroughs does not define their Partner's agenda but provides resources to help them meet their objectives.
This successful community development model intentionally moves beyond co-location and creates dynamic opportunities for creative learning and knowledge networks that are designed to be inclusive, diverse and spark social innovation. As a result of the broad range of partner organizations, community members are able to participate in multiple programs and services at the community center that help them achieve their goals. Each year, Burroughs delivers resource support to over 75 partner organizations that focus on community advocacy, employment and financial stability, youth advocacy, language learning, health and recreation as well as others.
In addition to partnerships, there are currently four programs that are run and staffed by Burroughs; English Language Services, VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program), Community Gardens and Our Woven Community, an entrepreneurial skills development program for refugee women. All these programs work towards increasing individual knowledge, training and self-sufficiency.
Because the opportunities for the community are fluid and dependent on many outside factors, Burroughs believes it is important to remain flexible and adaptive with the activities offered and partnerships developed. It is the guiding principle that remains consistent which is all programs and services must address the goal to inform, engage and empower.
Where we work
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Burroughs has a successful community development model that is based on building collaborative relationships between Partner entities that work toward mission-aligned objectives to benefit the community. In addition, Burroughs also delivers its own programs that are developed by identifying needs and areas of opportunities within the community. Burroughs aims to be timely and relevant with activities offered and partnerships developed but all must address the goal to inform, engage and empower. Some Burroughs focus areas include; job readiness, financial stability, reducing language barriers, youth advocacy, community advocacy, health and recreation.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Burroughs will achieve its mission by delivering against the following key strategies:
1) Providing information and resources that cultivate an informed and engaged community
2) Share space with existing local organizations that work toward mission-aligned objectives
3) Foster programs and partnerships that address community needs and areas of opportunities.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Burroughs offers individuals the opportunity to obtain instruction and gain access to services and resources they may not otherwise receive. A qualified staff, a hands-on, active Board of Directors, and many volunteers are critical to serve the community.
Burroughs takes a asset based community development approach to its programs and services. By finding programs and partners that are mission-aligned, Burroughs is able to leverage local talent, foster individual passions and capitalize on opportunities that support change, driven and shaped by the community. Partners are local institutions, citizen associations or individuals who bring a set of skills and knowledge to address identified barriers to success.
This ensures all activities are meaningful, sustainable and provide the greatest opportunities for progress.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Since 1997, Burroughs has successfully remained a valuable resource for community members who seek to improve their lives. Using a community development model, Burroughs has remained adaptive to the voice of the community which identifies areas of opportunity. By supporting community and facility partnerships, Burroughs delivers a broad range of mission-aligned programs and services as well as helps facilitate new non-profit organizations that require initial support in order to thrive.
The challenges for Burroughs include the needed time, effort and resources required to continually adapt to changes in the community and partner organizations. These changes are dictated by economic challenges and the capacity needed to draw upon existing community strengths to build a stronger, more sustainable community for the future. This ability to pivot is critical to Burroughs’ success, but it also demands manpower, financial and other resources to make available relevant and timely programs.
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Burroughs Community Center, Inc.
Board of directorsas of 06/09/2020
Ms. Cathy Lozier
Auden Grogins
State of Connecticut
Meredith Vanden Handel
Cathy Lozier
David Mack Properties
Erica Mann
Marge Hiller
Patrick Carleton
Connecticut Metropolitan
Darryl Manning
Shiela Nevins
Ashcroft Industries
Barbara Judelsohn Durham
Diana Draper
Fairfield University
Ron Pinciaro
Neil Chase
John Cannon